Syntropic Garden Update 2024 - The Hungry Spirit @ Lightning Ridge →

This is a follow up to: -

A Literal Oasis - Syntropic Agroforestry @ Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llazeATdn7s

Why is there a Dam? Syntropic Garden Q&A with Rebel & Thiago @ Lightning Ridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFVq99kyJzI

I caught up with Rebel at The Hungry Spirit in Lightning Ridge for an update on what's new, what's changed, what's struggled and what's thrived in the syntropic system in 2024.

Special thanks to Rebel Black from The Hungry Spirit at Lightning Ridge.

Opalised Mollusc Fossils - Not Actually Boring! Australian Opal Centre @ Lightning Ridge →

Bivalve molluscs are one of the most common types of opalised fossil at Lightning Ridge, but just because they're common it does NOT mean they're boring!

Special thanks to Sherri Donaldson and Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre!

Off-Grid Living @ Lightning Ridge - A Century of Miner's Camp Innovations →

A lot has changed in 100 years, but the human need for basic services and comfort remains the same! In this video, we compare the oldest surviving miner's camp (1916) with a modern up-to-date off-grid dwelling!

Special thanks to Rebel, Peter and Roy from The Ridge Castle and Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society and Australian Opal Centre!

The Opal Dinosaur - Curiosity Mine Book Club →

The Opal Dinosaur is a book by Yvonne Mes for readers aged 5-9, illustrated by Sylvia Morris and featuring dinosaurs identified from opalised fossils at Lightning Ridge!

Special thanks to CSIRO Publishing and the Australian Opal Centre!

A Fruit of Many Names: Emu Apple (Gruwi, Colane) - Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

This fruiting tree has many names and many interesting characteristics -- join Warwick Schofield as we investigate the Emu Apple, Gruwi, Colane, Sour Plum...

This video was made with Warwick Schofield, with support from Margaret Schofield.

Building the Australian Opal Centre - Walls! And a HUGE donation! @ Lightning Ridge →

The Australian Opal Centre building is progressing at an incredible pace! Check out the newly constructed walls and learn about the other projects happening in the background at the AOC as the building is constructed on the historic Three Mile opal field.

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall, the Australian Opal Centre, BARPA, Darcstudio, Vicki Bokros, Graeme Anderson and everyone who has contributed to the Australian Opal Centre!

"The Well Supported Church" - Anglican Church items at the Lightning Ridge Historical Society →

Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society shows us some items from the Society's collection relating to Anglican churches within the Lightning Ridge area.

Special thanks to Barbara Moritz from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

Sending an Earth Rock to Mars - Perseverance 2020 Rover

Not everyone can say they've sent something to Mars! Dr. Patrice Rey and his team hand-selected a piece of Australian rock from the Pilbara to send to Mars as part of the Perseverance 2020 mission!

This video was made with the help, assistance and patience of Dr. Patrice Rey at the University of Sydney.

Trees That Defend Themselves - Spiky Bushes: Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

A grouping of tree species found on the Lightning Ridge opal fields that defend themselves with spikes!

This video was made with Warwick Schofield, with support from Margaret Schofield and Kay Wotherspoon.

Sydney's Railway of the Dead - Rookwood Necropolis Railway History →

Sydney is home to the largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere, and once upon a time it had its own dedicated railway line...

Thanks to Sharath from Building Beautifully, Ross Jackson, Shaun Galman, the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

Opalised Fossil Letter from 1916 - Lightning Ridge Opal Fossil History →

An opalised fossil was discovered at Lightning Ridge in 1916, here's a letter from the Australian Museum to the London Museum asking for advice with a mysterious twist!

Thanks to Lost Lightning Ridge, the Lightning Ridge Historical Society and the Australian Opal Centre, Jenni Brammall, Dr. Elizabeth Smith, Leisa Carney, People Need Goals.

Opal on Mars - Why Outback Australia looks like the Red Planet →

The Australian Outback is famous for being red and desolate, but it shares a lot more in common with the Mars than you might think -- including opal!

This video was made with the help, assistance and patience of Dr. Patrice Rey at the University of Sydney. Special thanks to Shaun Galman for access to a working opal mine!

The "Sherman's Back" FC Holden - Lightning Ridge Historical Society

The Sherman family have been involved in and supporting the Lightning Ridge (and Australian) opal community since 1896. This 1959 FC Holden was used to advertise the business for many years and now resides with the Lightning Ridge Historical Society as a piece of local heritage and a local icon.

Special thanks to Barbara Moritz from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society and Peter Sherman of Sherman Opals for making this video possible.

Australian Opal Centre - from Then to Now & Building Progress Update →

The Australian Opal Centre building is under construction on the historic Three Mile opal field at Lightning Ridge. Learn about the history of the AOC and take a tour of the building site as the construction progresses!

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall (AOC) and Simon Fraser (Barpa) for their support and assistance with this video.

Lightning Ridge Cemetery - Unknown Opal Miners' Memorials & More →

Lightning Ridge is an opal mining town in New South Wales, Australia. A lot of things are unusual about Lightning Ridge, and its cemetery is no different.

This video was made with the support of the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

An Impressive Spotted Bower Bird Courtship Bower - Bush Botany @ Lightning Ridge →

Male bowerbirds have an amazing strategy for attracting a mate -- to collect a whole bunch of stuff and display it proudly!

This video was made with Warwick Schofield, with support from Margaret Schofield and Kay Wotherspoon.

Scientist Action Figures - for real this time! Kickstarter from Brainiaction Toys →

A long time ago, I made a picture of some scientists as action figures. Over a decade later, someone is making them real!

Special thanks to Clay at Brainiaction Toys for helping out with this video, and all the best with the Kickstarter and future endeavours!

Nobbies & Seam: Opal Forms | OpalWords @ Lightning Ridge

Lightning Ridge opal comes in two common formations: nobbies and seam opal. What's the difference, and how are they formed?

This video was made with the assistance of Vicki at Down to Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge!

The Pokataroo Station Master's House - I Lived in NSW Railway History →

I grew up in what seemed like a normal house, but it actually has history dating back to the early 1900s, and a railway line that had the potential to change the history of outback New South Wales.